Wayne State College’s second honor choir will take place on April 10 at 4:30 p.m. in the Ley Theatre.  

Fifty students from both Nebraska and Iowa are set to attend and perform with the Chamber Choir.  

While the first part of this honor choir was held in February with over 250 students in attendance and two different choirs, the second half is much smaller and focused completely on musical theatre pieces. Auditions were due at the same time for both sessions, and there were 300 to 400 auditions. 

“Because of the selectivity of this choir, they’re honored to be there,” Matthew Armstrong, director of choral activities, said. “As the only choir director, I listen to all of the choir recordings. Planning the honor choirs is a tremendously big task.”

With only fifty students being chosen from over 300 auditions, it was necessary to look for the students that best met the requirements. 

“For the students, I hope the best part is that they get to experience music at a different level,” Armstrong said. “I think that as the college it is our responsibility to be a leader in the region and give people opportunities to do great music and to do it at the highest level that they can.” 

Arranging factors such as parking, lunch, and t-shirts, along with many other items, can make the months leading up to the honor choir more work than the day of the event. According to the WSC website, Chamber Choir members take on the role of rehearsal leaders in preparation for the concert.

“The Chamber Choir has learned all the music, and we recorded them singing the parts,” Armstrong said. “The YouTube practice tracks were made by Chamber Choir.”

The event will be livestreamed and costs $5 for adults, and free for children 12 and younger. 

According to the WSC website, the pieces that will be performed are the high-spirited “Brand New You” from “13” by Jason Robert Brown, the love song “Every Single Day” from “Harmony” by Barry Manilow, and the spunky “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from “Funny Girl” by Jule Styne,” along with two pieces by the Chamber Choir.